When Obama won the 2008 Election, a landmark bribery case grew out of his Senate vacancy. The decision on who would be appointed to the seat fell into the hands of to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich – an outlandish politician who didn't follow the norms.
WATCH: In 2010, Blagojevich tried to rebound from a corruption scandal by appearing on "Celebrity Apprentice" with Donald Trump.
.@AriMelber on the similarities between Trump and Blagojevich:
"That politician turned reality star faced off with a reality star turned politician. Their thirst for manufactured attention was not their only mutual interest or habit here, because both have faced bribery scandals"
"That politician turned reality star faced off with a reality star turned politician. Their thirst for manufactured attention was not their only mutual interest or habit here, because both have faced bribery scandals"
@AriMelber On the big night of Barack Obama's 2008 victory, Gov. Blagojevich was thinking about what it meant for him personally, and he began brainstorming how to use his power to fill the Senate vacancy.
LISTEN: Gov. Blagojevich was caught on tape discussing how he could've "given" his 26-year-old nephew a "U.S. Senate seat" for his birthday, if only he was four years older.
In more serious conversations with his Chief of Staff, Gov. Blagojevich tried to swap the Senate seat for a position on the Obama Administration, and argued if he didn't "get the right deal," then he would "take" the Senate seat for himself.
As @lildurk warned, it was the "Feds Listening," that caught Blagojevich with this smoking gun audio tape, saying he had something "golden," and he would not give it up for "nothing" in return.
WATCH: Illinois State Representative Lou Lang argued Blagojevich was guilty of bribery, even though he was unsuccessful at selling the Senate seat:
"It's a crime [...] to offer to do a public act for value. Whether somebody takes you up on that offer is irrelevant."
"It's a crime [...] to offer to do a public act for value. Whether somebody takes you up on that offer is irrelevant."
This lesson can be applied to today's impeachment probe, as @AriMelber reports 'attempted' bribery IS bribery.
WATCH: During Blagojevich's impeachment hearings, his attorney admits "offering is a crime."
WATCH: President Trump and Governor Blagojevich's defenders have similarities citing conspiracies of 'witch hunts' and 'lynchings.'
Blagojevich was impeached and convicted during a Senate trial resulting in his removal from office.
He was also convicted in a criminal trial on EIGHTEEN charges including bribery, attempted extortion, fraud, and obstruction related charges, landing him a 14-year jail sentence.
He was also convicted in a criminal trial on EIGHTEEN charges including bribery, attempted extortion, fraud, and obstruction related charges, landing him a 14-year jail sentence.
Just weeks after his phone call with the Ukrainian President discussing the alleged bribery plot, Trump floated the idea of a pardon for Blagojevich, claiming he was "treated unbelievably unfairly" by having to go to jail "over a phone call where nothing happens."
